Supporting and strengthening educational and environmental organizations since 1994
Who we are:
The Faile Foundation is a small family foundation created in 1994 by John B. Faile and his daughter Toni Faile Lyerly. We believe every person deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential while living in harmony with the earth. We only have one part-time employee, so grant submissions are by invitation only.
Mission
–
The mission of the Faile Foundation is to support and strengthen Educational and Environmental organizations.
Vision
–
Our vision is to live in a world connected by the knowledge and awe of nature.
Values
–
Our values: cooperation, exploration, compassion, and truth.
“Cooperation, adaption & knowledge make sustainable organizations.”
Dani Zupic | Vice President
Who we fund:
What we do:
We fund educational programs, projects, and organizations with 501c3 EIN numbers or EDs from NGO source.
We fund environmental programs, projects, and organizations 501(c)3 EIN numbers or ED from NGO source.
We provide skills training to strengthen these organizations.
We strive to support and strengthen small founder-led not for profits. We seek to help you on your path; whether through board strengthening training, fund development education, leadership support, document editing, website review, or any number of other ways to help you make a difference. Our success can only be measured through your success and sustainability.
*Grants are by invitation only
History
Our Founder John B. Faile, or Jack as he preferred was a structural engineer that built sailboats and powerboats. He and his first wife Patsy, “Pixie” chipped their way out of the harbor at Cape Cod on a 23’ sailboat to begin more than just an adventure of marriage. They first landed in Rotterdam, Netherlands where he founded a shipyard. Their son Jib and daughter Toni were born there before they sailed back to U.S. waters. They lived in Florida then built a boathouse and house in St. Croix USVI. There he founded a school for his children and others on the island to learn no matter their background. Classes started under a tree until he could build buildings oriented properly and designed to allow wind and airflow during hurricanes. This became the Country Day Scool which has now merged with the Good Hope School that was established across the island at the same time. During a board meeting 5 year old Toni walked in and asked what the school would do for the children at the Queen Louise Home. A home for island children established in 1909 that she had regularly donated toys to each Christmas and made toys on her child sized wood working bench and lathe. The school then started an annual Christmas gift relationship with the home. Thus the first two legacy grants of the Good Hope Country Day School and Queen Louise Home were established, in 1964. Formalized giving to these organizations was not established until the foundation was created in 1994, and we have been giving and supporting ever since.
Jack Faile was a quiet man, that preferred to work on his boats rather than go to parties or engage in small talk. But he enjoyed exploration, and taking his wife and children sailing throughout the Caribbean. He loved to see how things worked, improve them, tinker with them and support others with new ideas. He was unassuming and